39. MAKE THROAT LOZENGES

Suffering from a cold? Cinnamon is one of the most powerful spices to help you recover from the common cold. It’s a great source of antioxidants and has several healing properties, including anti-nociceptive effects (meaning it helps block the sensation of pain).¹ The cinnamon in this homemade throat lozenge recipe helps alleviate the pain of a sore throat, and the other natural ingredients make these lozenges healthier for you than commercial lozenges.

Typical throat lozenges contain a large amount of sugar and processed ingredients, which can actually make you feel worse as your body tries to heal. Furthermore, most store-bought throat lozenges contain compounds that cause drowsiness, which makes going about your everyday life difficult. Also, the active compounds amylmetacresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol (which are components of most over-the-counter throat lozenges) have been proven to be noneffective antivirals.²

These homemade throat lozenges use natural ingredients to soothe your throat and fight bacteria: manuka honey has significant antibacterial effects,³ cinnamon has antibacterial properties,⁴ ginger and sage help boost your immune system,⁵ and eucalyptus oil provides a cooling effect (similar to menthol in store-bought lozenges).

CINNAMON HONEY THROAT LOZENGES

1/2 knob whole fresh ginger, peeled and chopped into large Segments

1 cinnamon stick

1 bunch fresh sage

1 cup water 1 lemon

1/2 cup manuka honey

1/2 cup raw sugar

2-4 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)

1. Place the ginger, cinnamon, sage, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.

2. While the water is simmering, zest the lemon. Then cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl.

3. Remove the ginger, cinnamon, and sage from the water. Add the honey, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the water and stir until the honey and sugar are dissolved. Turn the heat up to high so the mixture comes to a boil again.

4. Closely monitor the saucepan for signs the mixture is ready: the water will start to evaporate and the mixture will change to a golden caramel color. Alternatively, you can use a candy thermometer; the mixture is ready when the temperature reaches 300°F.

5. Carefully pour the liquid into a silicone mold. Cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

6. Remove from the mold. Cut wax paper or beeswax wraps into 6 x 6-inch squares and place the cough drop inside, then wrap tightly. If desired, you can then wrap these in aluminum foil to make sure the drops stay enclosed.

7. Store in a cool dark location and enjoy as needed!

40. MAKE HOMEMADE COuGH sYRup

A common symptom of winter colds is a persistent cough. Whether you’re seeking relief for the dry cough or just want something to soothe your inflamed throat, cough syrup is probably your go-to remedy. Over-the-counter cough syrups and suppressants can make you drowsy, and many contain dextromethorphan (DXM), which can cause psychedelic effects if taken at too high of a dosage.⁶ This homemade blend, on the other hand, has all natural ingredients to ease your cough without making you feel sleepy or dosing yourself with chemicals.

Raw honey helps soothe your throat because of its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.⁷ Apple cider vinegar, lemon, and cayenne can help clear mucus out of your throat (which helps you get rid of that phlegmy cough), while cinnamon is an antimicrobial that will help kill the cold germs that caused the cough in the first place!

CINNAMON APPLE CIDER VINEGAR COUGH SYRUP

4 cups water

1 cup raw, local honey

1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 knob ginger, grated (or 3 tablespoons ginger powder, but fresh is better)

1. Boil the water then lower to a simmer.

2. Add all ingredients and simmer until the volume is reduced by half.

3. Strain using a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.

4. Store in a glass jar in the fridge and use 1-2 spoonfuls as needed. Can be stored for up to 2 months.

41. CREATE YOUR OWN MOUTHWASH

Floss, brush, rinse, mouthwash—this is how the typical oral hygiene routine goes. Mouthwash—the last step—is important because it not only helps freshen your breath, but can also help prevent plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay.⁸ If your gums are bleeding after you floss, mouthwash can be even more vital because it will help sanitize your mouth.

Typical store-bought mouthwashes cost at least $5, so you’ll save big bucks over time by using a homemade mouthwash. Thanks to its cinnamon and tea tree oil (natural antibacterials) and baking soda (the base of many natural mouthwashes), this inexpensive, homemade mouthwash tastes great and helps prevent bacterial overgrowth, re-mineralize enamel, and reduce cavities.⁹

CLEANSING CINNAMON MOUTHWASH

2 cups distilled water (or boiled and cooled water)

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 drops of cinnamon essential oil

1 drop tea tree oil

1. Mix all ingredients well in a mason jar.

2. Shake vigorously before using 1 tablespoon as needed.

42. MAKE AN OiL-PuLLING BLEND

This ancient practice helps reduce plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, and fungus in your mouth. According to ancient Indian Ayurvedic text, oil pulling can be used for the prevention and treatment of more than thirty different illnesses, from mild ailments—such as headaches, migraines, thrombosis, and eczema—to fatal diseases—such as diabetes and asthma.¹⁰ The fatty acids of the oil bind to any fungus in your mouth, so after you spit it out, it’s gone!

Oil pulling has become more common in the past few years due to the rising popularity of Ayurvedic practices and holistic health. Many holistic brands now sell their own oil-pulling blends, which are made of various essential oils and carrier oils, but you can easily make your own for a fraction of the price. This homemade blend uses coconut oil for its extra antibacterial properties, plus cinnamon essential oil, which is a natural antifungal. With regular use, this blend helps prevent fungus.

HOMEMADE OIL-PULLING BLEND

1 cup extra virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil

4 drops cinnamon essential oil

1. Melt the coconut oil in a pot or the microwave.

2. Remove from the heat and add the olive/sesame oil and cinnamon essential oil.

3. Whisk with a fork and store in a glass jar.

HOW To USE:

1. Vigorously swish 1-2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth each morning.

2. Continue for 5 to 20 minutes.

3. Spit out and follow by brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash.

43. TREAT ATHLETE’S FOoT

An estimated 3-15 percent of people in the United States, at some point in their life, will get athlete’s foot—a common fungal infection that occurs when your feet come into contact with fungus in warm, moist areas.¹¹ It usually develops between your toes and can be caused by anything from sweaty feet in an unaerated shoe or sock, to bare feet with cuts in a locker room. If you have allergies, eczema, a genetic predisposition, a weakened immune system, naturally sweaty feet, or circulation problems, you may be more prone to contracting athlete’s foot at some point in your life.

Athlete’s foot is most commonly presented in the space between your littlest toe and the toe beside it; symptoms include flaky skin in the affected area, reddened and cracked skin, and swelling. While it’s not usually dangerous, it can be quite annoying. Luckily, you can treat it at home!

An easy solution (that also feels like a spa treatment!) is a relaxing cinnamon foot soak. Cinnamon, tea tree oil, and white vinegar—proven antifungals—create a home remedy that will help cure athlete’s foot over time.

RELAXING FOOT SOAK

4 cinnamon sticks (or you can use 2 drops of cinnamon essential oil)

2 drops tea tree oil

1/2 cup white vinegar

1. Fill a large bowl (big enough to fit both your feet) with boiled water that has been allowed to cool to a temperature you can comfortably soak your feet in.

2. Add all the ingredients.

3. Soak for up to an hour and dry your feet thoroughly. Repeat each night until the athlete’s foot disappears.

44. boost your memory

My mom always told me to eat cinnamon and honey before a test (usually in the form of cinnamon honey peanut butter toast) to boost my memory. Turns out, there’s actually some science behind this . . .

Cinnamon is a powerful brain booster—it contains phytochemicals that boost your brain’s ability to burn glucose and function. Studies show that with consumption of glucose, people find positive effects on both long- and short-term memory, as well as cognitive performance.¹²

The compounds in cinnamon that give it its flavor and aroma are “metabolized into sodium benzoate in the liver. Sodium benzoate then becomes the active compound, which readily enters the brain and stimulates hippocampal plasticity.”¹³ Simply put, cinnamon can help with memory aid and improve learning.

You can take a teaspoon of cinnamon mixed with wild, raw honey before a big exam, before studying, or every day as a memory supplement.

45. TREAT INSECT BITES

If you’ve ever had an unbelievably itchy insect bite, you know how annoying it can be. Insect bites itch because the insect’s saliva triggers your body’s histamine response (the same response you get when you’re allergic to something). Your body’s immune system then kicks into overdrive, increasing blood flow and increasing white blood cell count (your body’s immune system defenders) around the area of the bite, causing inflammation, swelling, and that familiar itching feeling.

Even though the bite feels itchy, try to avoid scratching as much as possible. When you scratch, you’re likely to break the skin and infect the bite with bacteria from your hands or your environment.

Luckily, cinnamon’s antibacterial properties will help you ward off infection from the bite if you do scratch. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help the swelling subside as well. Both cinnamon and honey (a common superstar pairing) have powerful antibacterial properties and help your body heal.¹⁴ Aloe vera, a common sunburn remedy, is known to help soothe your skin not only from burns, but from bites as well. Finally, camphor oil (a relative of cinnamon) helps soothe the itch even more and relax the muscles around the bite.

ANTi-ITCH INSECT BITE PASTE

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon raw honey

1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (or 1 teaspoon fresh aloe vera flesh)

1 drop camphor oil (optional)

1. Mix all the ingredients together to form a thick paste.

2. Apply it on your bite and leave it for an hour.

3. To avoid attracting insects with the sweet honey, be sure to wash off the paste before going outside.

46. MAKE SUPER-HEALiNG CHiCKEN SOUP

Chicken noodle soup is a popular cold remedy. The broth helps you stay hydrated (loss of fluids can slow down healing when you’re sick), while the chicken itself provides an easily digestible form of protein to support your immune system and act as a building block for your bones, muscles, skin, and blood.¹⁵

This ancient Chinese recipe takes regular chicken soup to another level with its additional healing properties. It combines herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine with homemade bone broth. It’s easier than you think—homemade broth is simply made by boiling the chicken! These ingredients work to combat cold symptoms and help your body heal faster.

HEALING CHINESE BLACK CHICKEN SOUP

6 dried shiitake mushrooms

4 pieces astragalus root (Huáng Qí (黄琦)), thinly sliced

3 pieces Angelica sinensis (Dāng Guī (当归)), thinly sliced

1 sweet potato or Chinese wild yam (Huái Shān (怀山))

1/2 knob ginger

1 black chicken (I recommend Silkie chicken (乌鸡), but any regular chicken works too)

6 cups water

1/4 cup dried goji berries

1/3 cup dried jujubes

1 cinnamon stick

1. Soak the mushrooms, astragalus root, and Angelica sinensis in a bowl of water for 30 minutes and then drain.

2. While those ingredients are soaking, chop the sweet potato into rounds and the ginger into thin slices.

3. Add the water and chicken to a large pot. Bring to a boil.

4. Add all ingredients to the boiling water and lower to a simmer.

5. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the dried jujubes are soft and the chicken is soft enough to fall off the bone.

6. Season with salt and enjoy.

47. TREAT YEAST iNFECTIONS AND BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Up to 75 percent of American women contract a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lives. Another infection that has similar symptoms, but a different cause, is bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is the most common vaginal infection among women aged fifteen to forty-four years and is often caused by an imbalance of good bacteria in the body.¹⁶ In many of these cases, these women have recurring infections or symptoms.

It can be expensive to repeatedly buy over-the-counter medications or go to the doctor for antibiotics. Not to mention it’s slightly embarrassing and quite annoying to take the time out of your day to schedule doctor’s appointments. While these problems might go away on their own, the symptoms (itching, discharge, odor) make life unpleasant.

This recipe uses natural ingredients to help treat symptoms and, in some cases, the actual issue of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. This works because of cinnamon’s natural antifungal properties, and tea tree oil and coconut oil both have antibacterial properties to help fight any imbalances. These ingredients can help reduce symptoms of yeast infections and bacterial infections, and even treat weak yeast infections or instances of BV.

HEALING CINNAMON SALVE

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 drops tea tree oil

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

TO USE AS A SUPPOSiTORY:

1. Mix all ingredients together.

2. Place an empty cardboard tampon applicator on a plate.

3. Fill with the cinnamon, tea tree oil, and coconut oil mixture.

4. Place in the freezer for 3 hours or until solidified. Insert as you would a tampon.

5. Allow the healing salve to melt completely and soothe the infected area.

TO USE TOPICALLY:

1. Mix ingredients together and use your fingers to spread all over the infected area.

Note: With both remedies, I recommend wearing a panty liner (to avoid oil stains) and using at night.

48. PREVENT CANDiDA OVERGROWTH

An estimated 1.4 million patient visits for vaginal candidiasis occur annually in the United States.¹⁷ Candida is a fungus that’s naturally produced by the body (men included!). This form of yeast serves to aid with digestion, but the issue arises when it begins to grow out of control. When that happens, it breaks down the intestine walls and penetrates the bloodstream.

Common symptoms of candida overgrowth are frequent yeast infections, skin or nail fungal infections (like athlete’s foot), chronic fatigue, digestive issues (constipation, bloating, diarrhea), brain fog, carb and sugar cravings, and mood swings. In order to get candida back under control, there are a couple of steps holistic practitioners recommend taking:

First, starve the candida by removing or limiting refined sugars, alcohol, natural sugars (including honey and fruit), caffeine, and carbohydrates (including starchy veggies like sweet potatoes, grains, gluten, and legumes)—even though you may feel an intense craving for them.

Second, focus on high-fat and high-protein foods (similar to the keto diet) and help out the good bacteria in your gut by eating fermented foods, like sauerkraut and yogurt. Stick with this diet for two weeks.

Third, begin to consume antifungal foods. This is where cinnamon comes in.

Cinnamon is especially helpful when you’re limiting your sugar intake because it helps food taste sweet without adding any sugar, thus curbing your sugar cravings. The even-better news? Cinnamon is an antifungal, which helps kill the candida overgrowth!

CINNAMON TEA

1 cinnamon stick

2 pieces fresh ginger

1 cup boiling water

1 drop oregano oil

1. Steep the cinnamon and ginger in the boiling water for 10 minutes.

2. Remove the cinnamon and ginger from the cup and add the oregano oil. Stir well.

3. Enjoy one to two cups per day.

CINNAMON KEFIR

1 cup unsweetened kefir

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 pinch black pepper

1. Whisk or blend all ingredients together and enjoy right away.

49. help soothe menstrual CRaMps

Is it that time of the month? If you’re experiencing period cramps, know that you’re not alone. Many women feel them before, during, and after their period—a condition known as dysmenorrhea. Because your uterine lining contracts and sheds during menstruation, it can result in a cramping sensation as a side effect. The intensity of your cramps can be determined by the levels of prostaglandins (a hormone-like substance) in your body—the higher the levels, the more pain you’re likely to experience.

If you are older or have given birth, you are less likely to have severe cramps. On the other hand, if you have endometriosis, the lining that’s typically inside your uterus forms outside it, resulting in a higher frequency and intensity of cramps.

Soothe any cramps you might have by making a warming cinnamon salve that you can massage on your stomach. It also works great to comfort a sore lower back or loosen up tight shoulders. Alternatively, to warm you from the inside out and help alleviate cramps, you can drink the alternate cinnamon tea recipe below.

WARMING CINNAMON SALVE

2 ounces beeswax

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons jojoba oil

1 tablespoon vitamin E oil

10 milliliters of 500mg CBD oil (optional)

10 drops cinnamon essential oil

8 drops sandalwood essential oil

4 drops clary sage essential oil

3 drops eucalyptus essential oil

1. Fill the bottom half of a double boiler halfway with water and place over medium to high heat.

2. Add the beeswax to the top of the double boiler. When the water starts to boil and the wax starts to melt, turn the heat down to low.

3. Stir occasionally to break up the wax.

4. Once the beeswax is melted, add the coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and CBD oil (if using); stir until combined and clear.

5. Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly again.

6. Pour the salve into a shallow container—I recommend you use glass, ceramic, or high-grade stainless steel—and let sit at room temperature until hardened.

7. Use on your low back and abdomen whenever needed! It should melt in your fingers as you apply.

CRAMP-SOOTHING CINNAMON TEA

2 cinnamon sticks

12 ounces water

1 tablespoon raw honey

1. Boil the cinnamon with the water.

2. Add the honey; stir until dissolved.

3. Enjoy two to three times per day.

50. HELP PREVENT CANCER

Cancer is a disease the world has been continuously fighting to prevent, yet there were still an estimated 18 million cases reported worldwide in 2018. The United States had the fifth highest cancer rate in the world that year, with 352 cases per one hundred thousand people.¹⁸

While there is no “cure” for cancer, there are multiple treatments that have proven effective. However, the best treatment is prevention.

There have been multiple studies on the suggestion that cinnamon extract may suppress tumor progression. This is because cinnamon can increase the activity of cancer-fighting cells (CD8(+) T cells). This is the same effect chemotherapy has—the killing of cancer cells. The researchers concluded “cinnamon extract has the potential to be an alternative medicine for tumor treatment.”¹⁹

While cinnamon should not be a replacement for any medication, it can support your health if you take it regularly. It’s quite easy (and delicious!) to add to your diet—think of sprinkling some on your coffee, oatmeal, or yogurt in the morning.

51. EASE TOOTHACHES

Have tooth pain? You’re not alone. Toothaches are the most common cause of oral pain.²⁰ The pain can range from a sharp and stabbing feeling to a dull ache whenever pressure is applied to the affected spot. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, cavities, tooth decay and fractures, and repetitive eroding motions, like chewing or teeth grinding.²¹

You can help prevent toothaches by practicing proper oral hygiene (like regularly brushing, flossing, and wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth), but if you already have a toothache, don’t worry—there are steps you can take to relieve your pain.

If bacteria or infection is the source of your pain, cinnamon can help. Cinnamon is known to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.²² This means it can help reduce localized swelling and fight the bacteria that’s causing the ache. You can create a paste of cinnamon and honey to soothe your toothache, but if the pain persists, we recommend you visit your dentist to find a solution.

TOOTHACHE EASING EWUM

5 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Mix the honey and cinnamon together thoroughly.

2. Apply to the affected area using a clean fingertip or cotton swab.

52. aid digestion

There’s nothing more dissatisfying than eating a great meal only to have an upset stomach afterward. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter medicines to find relief, try sipping on a cup of cinnamon tea. That’s because cinnamon (even in small doses) helps lower your stomach’s carbon dioxide levels, which aids with digestion.²³

Incorporating cinnamon into your daily diet can help maintain proper digestive health; try sprinkling some on top of your food (see the recipe section of this book for more cinnamon recipes!).

Fun fact: It’s not a new concept—ancestors as far back as first-century Romans used cinnamon as a remedy for many digestive ailments.²⁴

DIGESTiON-SOOTHiNG CINNAMON TEA

2 slices fresh ginger root

1 chamomile tea bag (or 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers)

1 cinnamon stick

1 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon raw honey

1. Place the ginger, chamomile, and cinnamon stick in a cup.

2. Pour boiling water over it and steep for 5-10 minutes.

3. Pour through a strainer and into another cup.

4. Stir in the honey and enjoy!

53. AVOiD GAS

Passing gas is very human, but that doesn’t stop it from being embarrassing. It can also feel physically uncomfortable—it often goes hand in hand with bloating.

The process starts when you swallow too much air or eat certain foods. The air or food moves down into your large intestine, where the bacteria in your body begin to break down these products, creating gas.

If you have digestion issues—like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)—or food intolerances and allergies—like lactose intolerance and Celiac’s disease—you may be prone to gas.

Cinnamon is your secret weapon to avoiding this. It prevents the formation of gas by lowering your body’s amount of stomach acid and pepsin (the main digestive enzyme in your stomach that breaks down proteins).²⁵

In a recent gut-health study, researchers at the Melbourne, Australia–based RMIT University School of Engineering determined that even a small dose of cinnamon helps drop carbon dioxide levels in the stomach, which can lower body temperatures and aid digestion.

So sip on some cinnamon tea or incorporate cinnamon into your meals to ease your digestion and help prevent passing gas.

54. GET RiD of Bad BREATH

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by bacteria in the mouth. It’s a common occurrence—about 30 percent of the world’s population experiences some type of bad breath.²⁶ Most bad breath is temporary, meaning it occurs after eating certain foods, smoking tobacco, or not brushing the teeth.

However, if you have persistent bad breath, it could be signs of an underlying problem, including gum disease, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, or a combination of these things. In small cases, more significant diseases like advanced liver or kidney disease may lead to bad breath as well. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms (such as nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and/or fatigue) in addition to bad breath, it’s recommended you visit your primary care physician.²⁷

Because cinnamon has antibacterial properties, it helps kill the bacteria in your mouth that contribute to bad breath. To cure basic bad breath, you can use cinnamon in mouthwash form, toothpaste form, gum form, or simply sprinkling cinnamon in your water and drinking it.

55. HEAL WOUNDS

What’s in your at-home first aid kit? Did you know you can clean and heal wounds with products right from your own kitchen?

Cinnamon is one of these “home-pantry first aid kit” products; the spice has been shown to improve wound healing.²⁸ The American Chemical Society has also reported the development of a new drug that uses cinnamon and peppermint oil to treat and heal chronic wounds and is effective against four different types of bacteria.²⁹ This is because cinnamaldehyde, the compound that gives cinnamon its distinctive taste and color, has antimicrobial properties.³⁰

Honey is another powerful bacteria-killer, making it an ideal partner with cinnamon for wound healing. When properly used, honey can help clear infections and reduce the likelihood of scarring.

While you may be tempted to grab any honey off the shelf in times of emergency, manuka honey is recommended; it was approved by the US Federal Drug Administration in 2007 as an option for wound treatment.³¹

To help heal your wounds, mix 1 tablespoon manuka honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder (or 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil). If this is not enough to cover the wound, double the recipe. Apply the paste to the wound. Then take a typical wound dressing, like a gauze bandage roll, and wrap it tightly around the wound. Leave it on for 24 hours and change as needed.

56. HELP PROTECT YOUR GUT

Health starts from the inside out. While there has long been a focus on physical health, only recently has gut health stepped into the spotlight.

Gut health is important because of the gut–brain connection. Our GI (gastrointestinal) tract houses trillions of microorganisms. This is your gut microbiome and it influences your mood, health, appetite, and more.³²

Contrary to popular belief, not all bacteria are bad. There are “good” bacteria in your gut, which is what probiotics and prebiotics help to support. But because everyone has a different gut microbiome, it’s hard to determine which (and even if) commercial probiotics are effective. Prebiotics, on the other hand, help feed the healthy bacteria in your gut and are effective for most microbiomes.

It’s important to provide your gut with adequate prebiotics because they’re essentially the food that help the good bacteria thrive. Common prebiotics are resistant starches (like green bananas), dandelion greens, oats, and apples.

A lesser-known one? Cinnamon. It’s known to have prebiotic properties that are helpful to the growth of good bacteria and can help suppress pathogenic bacteria.³³ Take a look at the recipe section for delicious ways to incorporate cinnamon in your diet!

57. HELP TREAT ECZEMA

Eczema is a skin condition that affects over 30 million Americans.³⁴ The word is derived from “to boil over” in Ancient Greek, which is a fitting indicator of the itchy, inflamed patches present on the skin when an eczema flare-up occurs. The patches of skin are usually dry and sensitive and can even swell or ooze.

There is no single known cause of eczema, but people who have eczema tend to have an over-reactive immune system. When the immune system is triggered by a certain substance, it reacts by creating inflammation in the body, resulting in the eczema patches. People’s eczema triggers can vary, but common ones are stress, dry skin, infections, environmental allergens, hormones, and certain fragrances.³⁵

Although there is no cure for eczema, there are a variety of treatments, ranging from topical over-the-counter drugs to home remedies, phototherapy, and more. The National Eczema Foundation recommends knowing and recognizing your personal eczema triggers, maintaining a proper bathing and moisturizing ritual, and using treatments as necessary to help manage your eczema flare-ups.

While consuming too much cinnamon may trigger eczema, it can be applied topically to help bring relief to dry eczema patches.³⁶ By creating the below paste and applying it to the affected area, you can moisturize the patch, relieve swelling and inflammation, and help prevent the patch from getting infected.

ECZEMA RELIEF PASTE

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1. Mix the honey and cinnamon together.

2. Apply liberally to the affected area; leave on for 20 minutes.

3. Wash off with warm water before moisturizing the area.

58. Boost HeaRT heaLTh

Cardiovascular disease is a serious matter. The number one cause of death in the United States—across both genders and most races—is heart disease. It also costs a lot of money: Accounting for loss in worker productivity, medical bills, and medicine, the United States lost $219 billion from 2014 to 2015 due to heart disease complications.³⁷

There are several risk factors for heart disease, including having diabetes, being overweight or obese, eating an unhealthy diet, using alcohol excessively, and not exercising enough. The three biggest factors, however, are smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

Fortunately, we can mitigate risk by minimizing these risk factors. By slowly making lifestyle changes—like quitting smoking, eating a whole-food diet, moderating alcohol use, and exercising regularly—you can lower your risk for heart disease. High cholesterol levels are harder to tackle, but you can also manage that with your diet. This is because cholesterol comes from two sources:

1. Your liver, which makes all the cholesterol your body needs.

2. Animal products you eat, like meat and full-fat dairy products.

When you eat foods that are too high in trans fats and saturated fats, your liver starts to make more cholesterol than it needs, which increases your cholesterol level. However, not all cholesterol is bad. Cholesterol can be divided into two types:

1. LDL cholesterol: The “bad” cholesterol. It contributes to fat buildup in your arteries.

2. HDL cholesterol: The “good” cholesterol. It carries LDL cholesterol away from your arteries and back into your liver, thus preventing too much fatty build up.

It’s important to have a balance of the two—too much bad cholesterol and your arteries can become clogged; too much good cholesterol can cause heart issues.³⁸

Certain foods can help balance your cholesterol. Dark leafy greens, berries, and dark chocolate can all help lower your LDL cholesterol.³⁹ Cinnamon is an important food that can help lower your LDL cholesterol and boost your HDL cholesterol.⁴⁰ Recent studies have found that a daily dose of cinnamon is helpful for impacting your cholesterol levels, so now’s the perfect time to start adding a pinch of cinnamon to your coffee, tea, yogurt, smoothies . . . the possibilities are endless!

59. REGULATE BLOOD SUGAR

Every year, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. In 2018, over 10 percent of the United States population had diabetes. This disease is quite prevalent and can be severe—it was reported as the seventh leading cause of death in the US in 2017, although the American Diabetes Association suspects the amount of diabetes-related deaths is underreported.⁴¹

To best understand diabetes, let’s first look at what blood sugar is. Sugars from the food you eat turn into glucose in your bloodstream. Your body then uses insulin to help pull the glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells. Having diabetes means something in this process is broken.

There are two types of diabetes:

1. Type I: This affects people of all ages, races, and sizes. People who have type I diabetes cannot produce enough insulin.

2. Type II: This is the most common form of diabetes. Although your body can properly produce insulin, if you have type II diabetes, your body cannot properly use its insulin.

There are also people who are pre-diabetic—people who are at risk of developing type II diabetes because of their higher-than-average blood sugar levels, but who don’t have high enough blood sugar levels for it to be considered type II diabetes yet.

You can manage both forms of diabetes through exercise and a proper diet, although people with type I diabetes will typically need insulin treatments and injections. An important part of managing type II diabetes is controlling your blood glucose levels.

That’s where cinnamon comes in! A 2003 study by the American Diabetes Association shows that diabetics who took cinnamon had lower glucose levels after forty days when compared to the placebo group.⁴² A meta-analysis of ten studies in 2013 also showed a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose levels after taking cinnamon.⁴³

Although cinnamon shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for any medication, it can be a helpful supplement to help you naturally lower and control your blood sugar levels. By consuming it daily—especially in replacement of sugar—it can help control glucose levels for type II diabetics.

60. ENHANCE YouR MOoD

Feeling depressed, anxious, or simply just down? Cinnamon can help boost your mood! It’s been shown to have antidepressant effects in rats receiving lead acetate, but more than that, its effects on your blood sugar can explain why it has such a powerful effect on your mood.⁴⁴

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies linking blood sugar levels and mood disorders, such as depression. Because your brain runs largely on glucose, spikes or large dips in glucose levels can impact not only how your brain functions, but also your mood. To illustrate this relationship: About 25 percent of people with diabetes also suffer from depression.⁴⁵ Because cinnamon can help regulate your blood sugar, consuming it regularly can help you achieve more balanced moods.⁴⁶

Another link to your mood is your gut’s health. If you consume too much processed sugar or other gut-irritants, your mood can take a hit as well. That’s because 90 percent of your serotonin receptors are located in your gut. Because serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical,” is an important contributor to your happiness and well-being, it’s vital these receptors work properly. To help cut down on the amount of sugar you consume, Harvard Medical

School’s blog recommends you add cinnamon to your breakfast in place of sugar or sugar substitutes.⁴⁷

61. STiMULATE LiBIdO

Cinnamon has been suggested as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in Ayurvedic medicine. A 2013 study looked into the validity of that statement by measuring sperm count and smooth muscle tissue in aged rats both before and after giving them cassia cinnamon for twenty-eight days. The study found there was an increase in sexual function, although sperm counts were unchanged. Therefore, the study concluded that while cinnamon does not help with male fertility (sperm count), it does aid in increasing sexual function that has declined due to age.⁴⁸

While there have not been human studies on the subject yet, it can’t hurt to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your meals or drinks as a natural aphrodisiac.

62. EASE ARTHRITiC PAiN

Arthritis is a commonly misunderstood issue—it’s often perceived as “a disease for old people,” but it’s actually a term referring to joint pain or disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are over a hundred types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions. These can be simplified into four main types of arthritis, all characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, and pain:⁴⁹

1. Degenerative Arthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when cartilage wears away and bone begins to rub against bone, causing swelling, pain, and other typical arthritis symptoms.

2. Inflammatory Arthritis: This occurs when the immune system mistakes healthy joints for something dangerous and attacks them with inflammation, causing joint pain and erosion.

3. Infectious Arthritis: When something outside the body (like a fungus, virus, or bacterium) enters the joint, this can trigger inflammation, resulting in this type of arthritis.

4. Metabolic Arthritis: To understand this type of arthritis, we first need to understand what “uric acid” is. Uric acid is a natural waste product that is produced when you digest foods with purines (chemical compounds found in foods like beer, organ meats, and seafood). If your body has a high uric acid level and isn’t able to lower it quickly enough, the acid can build up, causing joint pain.

The bottom line—there are different causes of the joint pain that characterize arthritis, but the erosion of cartilage and increased inflammation are common denominators.

That’s why cinnamon is helpful for easing pain—researchers have found cinnamon slows down the breakdown of bones.⁵⁰ It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is especially helpful for inflammatory and infectious arthritis.⁵¹ Finally, the spice has antioxidant properties from the cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid it contains. This helps fight free radicals that damage cells in your body, lowering inflammation.⁵²

63. HELP PREVENT NEURODEGENERATiVE DISEASES

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, affect about 50 million Americans each year.⁵³ Having a family member or close friend who suffers from a neurodegenerative disease can be devastating—as their nervous system gradually begins to lose more and more cells, their memory, speech, and ability to perform tasks can begin to deteriorate as well.

In many cases, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists theorize some diseases can be attributed to environmental factors (such as heavy metals, like copper, selenium, zinc, lead, and mercury), while other diseases, like Alzheimer’s, can be predicted by four known risk factors (age, familial history, the presence of Down syndrome, and the apolipo-protein E4 allele).⁵⁴

To understand how cinnamon can help prevent diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, we have to first understand how the brain changes when these diseases occur.

Let’s look first at Alzheimer’s disease. In your brain, nerve cells called neurons are supported by microtubules. These are structures that help guide nutrients from the cell body to the axon and dendrites (structures at either end of the cell body). There is also a protein called tau, which binds to and helps stabilize microtubules in healthy neurons.

In brains affected by Alzheimer’s, however, the tau detaches from the microtubules and sticks to other tau molecules. This causes a neurofibrillary tangle and blocks the neuron’s transport system so it cannot communicate properly.⁵⁵

A recent study found cinnamon inhibits this buildup of tau molecules. It’s important to note that cinnamon (used as a water-based extract of Ceylon cinnamon in this particular study) did not affect tau’s ability to perform its regular functions; instead, it only prevented tau aggregation.⁵⁶

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the US (after Alzheimer’s). It’s characterized by the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, the part of the brain responsible for producing dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger between the brain and the nervous system—specifically the parts that control body movements.⁵⁷ When too many nerve cells in the substantia nigra die (symptoms are typically seen at 80 percent loss), the body’s control center starts to malfunction, causing the slow, jerky movements that characterize Parkinson’s.

Studies have found ground cinnamon helps halt the progression of Parkinson’s because, when ingested orally, it is metabolized into sodium benzoate. This then enters the brain, protecting neurons, normalizing neurotransmitters, and improving motor functions.⁵⁸ Although the study showed both Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon were effective, Ceylon proved to be more effective because of its high coumarin content.

There is currently no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, but the daily use of cinnamon is a hope and can be a preventative measure for those suffering from or for those wishing to avoid these diseases.

64. HELP PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease that impacts your bones; either your body loses too much bone or makes too little bone. The word itself means “porous bone,” which reflects how the bone looks when under a microscope—the naturally occurring holes in osteoporotic bones are much larger than normal. This causes bones to be less dense, more brittle, and weaker than healthy bones.

Osteoporosis impacts about 54 million Americans, especially the elderly. About one in every two women, and up to one in four men, older than fifty are at risk for breaking a bone due to osteoporosis.⁵⁹

Cinnamaldehyde, the aldehyde that gives cinnamon its signature flavor, has been identified to reduce osteoclast-like cell formations.⁶⁰ Osteoclasts are bone-reabsorbing cells and are the culprits of many instances of bone loss.⁶¹ Thus, the reduction of osteoclast function and formation means cinnamon can help prevent osteoporosis.

To help build healthy, strong bones, you can eat bone-strengthening foods that are rich in calcium, like milk and nuts, and combine them with cinnamon for an extra bone-boosting meal or snack.

65. EASE NAuSEA

Nausea, or feeling the need to vomit, can be caused by a variety of factors: food poisoning, pregnancy, pain, ulcers, overeating, chemotherapy, medication, toxins, motion sickness, and diseases affecting the brain, throat, stomach, and other organs. It is considered to be a form of biological protection, warning you not to ingest something toxic.⁶²

No matter the cause, nausea is deeply uncomfortable and inconvenient. Cinnamon can help ease nausea both from its aroma and by ingestion. The scent of cinnamon helps ease and calm the nerves, which is helpful because nausea is typically accompanied by other types of pain.⁶³ Because it is also an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, it helps kill any toxins in your body that may be caused by bacteria. Cinnamon bark has also been used to treat nausea in chemotherapy patients.⁶⁴ For women who suffer from dysmenorrhea, cinnamon has been shown to reduce both the severity of nausea and the frequency of vomiting in association to a severe menstrual cycle.⁶⁵

So the next time you feel nauseous, brew some cinnamon tea and sip on it slowly to help ease symptoms.

66. SoOTHE A STiFF NECK

If you’ve woken up with neck soreness or a neck so stiff you’re unable to move your head, you know how annoying it is—not to mention a little scary. You may go about the rest of your day unable to turn your head too much to either side.

Not to worry. There are a few steps you can take to relieve the stiffness in your neck. It is advised to do them in the morning or when you first experience the pain, so you can address the problem as quickly as possible.

First, apply a warm compress (you can use a towel and warm water—bonus points if you add soothing essential oils!) to the spot. Heat is helpful in relaxing muscles and helps bring blood flow to the area. Second, while you’re sitting with the warm compress, sip on an herbal tea made with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or one whole cinnamon stick) and 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (or one 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric) mixed with 8 ounces of hot water. Both spices have significant anti-inflammatory properties, and turmeric has the added benefit of soothing muscle soreness.⁶⁶

Repeat this process as many times as you need to alleviate the stiffness (or as many times as you have time for). It can also be a good way to wind down at the end of the day, before you go to bed.

67. PREVENT AND TREAT UTIs

More than 7 million people visit hospitals each year for treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs).⁶⁷ These infections are typically caused by the bacterium Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which causes irritation in your bladder and urethra. UTIs usually result in symptoms like burning or even pain when urinating and feeling the strong need to use the bathroom often but only producing a few drops of urine.⁶⁸

Women are more likely to get UTIs than men (about 60 percent of women get one in their lifetime compared to about 12 percent of men) because of their shorter urethra—meaning bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

The typical treatment for UTIs is a course of antibiotics to kill the problematic bacteria. However, in the case of repeated UTIs, the bacteria may develop a resistance to the antibiotics, presenting the need for an alternative treatment.

Cinnamon can help you avoid and treat UTIs because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties—trans-cinnamaldehyde, the active compound in cinnamon, has been seen to decrease UPEC populations in the body.⁶⁹

The best measure is a preventative measure, so we recommend adding cinnamon to your meals. Consuming cranberry juice and adequate amounts of water are also recommended by the Urology Care Foundation as preventative measures.⁷⁰

68. AID IN WEIGHT LOSS

People ate half a grapefruit with cinnamon sprinkled on top as a popular diet breakfast in the 1930s,⁷¹ but it turns out they were actually onto something. A 2006 J Med Food study found grapefruit reduced insulin resistance and helped the test group lose weight.⁷² But don’t forget the cinnamon! This spice is similarly effective in reducing insulin resistance. The Human Nutrition Center at Tufts University reported cinnamon, even in small daily doses, increases insulin’s capacity to metabolize blood sugar. That means it can be used to help reduce hunger, curb sugar cravings, and ease the effects of diabetes—all of which are useful in losing weight.⁷³

Why does insulin resistance matter? you might be asking yourself. Well, if you’ve ever tried to lose weight by sticking to the perfect diet and exercise plan but found that the pounds just weren’t coming off, insulin resistance might be the culprit.

When your body is insulin resistant, it means the food you eat isn’t being properly converted into the energy you need to fuel your body. That’s because insulin is the hormone your body uses to convert food (like carbs) into glucose (sugar your cells can use) and move glucose from your blood into your cells. In cases of insulin resistance, your body is no longer sensitive to insulin, meaning it takes more and more insulin to move glucose into your cells. When your body can no longer produce enough insulin and too much glucose is left in your blood, you become diabetic. Because there is nowhere else for the glucose to go, your body turns it into fat as a way to store it for later.⁷⁴

Cinnamon has a two-pronged benefit here: It helps reduce insulin resistance, as we mentioned earlier, and it can potentially help your fat cells burn energy.⁷⁵ That means glucose is less likely to be stored as fat in your body and existing fat cells may enter fat-burning mode with the consumption of cinnamon.

So here’s to a breakfast topped with cinnamon, whether that’s cinnamon oatmeal or your typical cinnamon-dusted grapefruit!

69. CuRB CRAViNGS

Sugar cravings are real—studies have shown that sugar can be addicting and can even act as a gateway to alcohol use.⁷⁶ These days, though, sugar seems to be in everything, even foods you think are savory.

The easiest way to lower your sugar intake is to focus on cooking your own food, because many processed foods have added sugar or sugar substitutes in them. To make the transition a little easier, you can use cinnamon as a sugar substitute. Because cinnamon naturally tastes sweet, you can use it to replace some of the sugar you would normally add to a drink or a food (for example, if you typically use one spoonful of sugar in your coffee, you can add a pinch of cinnamon and a half spoonful of sugar). Cinnamon makes a great addition to such items as coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, and even baked goods.

There is also science behind why cinnamon can help curb cravings—naturally occurring compounds in cinnamon help improve insulin sensitivity.⁷⁷ This is important because if you have insulin resistance, glucose can’t properly enter your cells. Your body then starts to crave sugar and carbs as a response.⁷⁸

70. REDUCE CHOLESTEROL

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), about one in three adults in America has high cholesterol.⁷⁹ But what does high cholesterol mean and why is it bad?

Like we covered in the “Boost Heart Health” section, there are two types of cholesterol:

1. “Bad” cholesterol: LDL cholesterol, which contributes to fat buildup in your arteries.

2. “Good” cholesterol: HDL cholesterol, which carries LDL cholesterol away from your arteries and back into your liver, thus preventing too much fatty buildup.

Unlike other “diseases,” you won’t feel any particular symptoms if you have high LDL cholesterol, which is why doctors typically check your lipid levels during physical exams. Lipids are fat-like molecules found in your bloodstream. Cholesterol and triglycerides are both examples of a lipid.⁸⁰

It’s important to maintain low LDL cholesterol levels to avoid heart disease and stroke. This can be managed by living a healthy, active lifestyle: make smart eating choices, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption, cut out smoking, and maintain a healthy weight.

If you already have high cholesterol levels, you can bring those levels down by doing the things listed above . . . and getting a little help from cinnamon. Cinnamon has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in people with type II diabetes by up to 27 percent over the course of a forty-day trial.⁸¹ In addition, a 2017 review compiled thirteen studies on cinnamon’s effect on lipid levels. Researchers concluded cinnamon “significantly lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.”⁸²

For those struggling with high cholesterol levels, adding cinnamon to your daily diet can be a tool to help you bring your cholesterol levels down.

71. PAiN RELiEVER

Before the invention of modern painkillers, people used natural remedies created from herbs. For centuries, herbs like St. John’s wort, ginseng, and cinnamon have been used topically and orally to help relieve pain.

While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have become the go-to medicine for pain relief, there may be cases when it is unwise to use over-the-counter drugs (such as ibuprofen or Advil). For example, in instances of the coronavirus (COVID-19), using NSAIDs may actually worsen the disease and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended against the use of these drugs.⁸³ In such cases, or for those who prefer a natural remedy, cinnamon may act as a safer substitute that will still help relieve pain.

Cinnamon is an effective pain reliever because it reacts with prostaglandin, which is a group of lipids that are created in parts of your body where tissue is damaged or infected—meaning they deal with illness and injury. Recent studies have found cinnamon to be nearly as effective as NSAID ibuprofen in cases of dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).⁸⁴ Cinnamon also creates a muscle-relaxing effect.

72. EASE PMS SYMPTOMS, ESPECIALLY DYSMENORRHEA

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps, is a common PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptom for many women who have regular menstrual cycles. In fact, it’s estimated that 20 percent of women will have dysmenorrhea so severe at some point in their life that it will impact their daily activities.⁸⁵ These cramps come from your uterus and can be categorized into two types:

1. Primary dysmenorrhea: Pain that does not have an organic cause. This is the type most women have.

2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: Pain that is associated with a pathological condition, like endometriosis or ovarian cysts.

If you smoke, have long periods, or start your period at an early age, you may have an increased chance of getting primary dysmenorrhea. Many women learn to accept these as a given side effect of having a period and treat them with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen.

Cinnamon has been shown in multiple studies to help relieve menstrual symptoms. Not only does it reduce the amount of menstrual blood and the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting, but it also reduces overall pain.⁸⁶ In addition, cinnamon was shown to significantly reduce both the severity and duration of pain during the menstrual cycle, with results almost as effective as ibuprofen.⁸⁷

The next time you feel PMS symptoms—especially cramps— coming on, get yourself a warm compress, sip some cinnamon tea, and sprinkle cinnamon generously on your food to help reduce the pain so you can live your life unbothered by the pesky effects of PMS.

73. HELP TREAT POLYCYSTIC oVARiAN SYNDROME

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that affects 6-12 percent of women of reproductive age in the

United States, making it one of the most common causes of female infertility in the US.⁸⁸

The causes for PCOS are not certain, but elevated androgen levels, excess weight, and a family history of PCOS or type II diabetes are thought to be contributing factors. Insulin resistance can both be a contributing factor and a symptom; in both cases, it is beneficial to lower insulin resistance.

This is where cinnamon comes in. Cinnamon can help lower insulin resistance; it’s been shown to help in studies with type II diabetes patients and on a trial study of women with PCOS. The latter study found cinnamon helped treat PCOS by reducing the level of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and increase the level of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP 1).⁸⁹

Cinnamon has thus been demonstrated to serve as a potential therapeutic agent for treating PCOS because it downregulates testosterone and insulin.

74. BoOSt YoUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against invaders—germs, viruses, infections, bacteria, disease, etc. A healthy immune system is not only able to identify your body’s normal cells, but it’s also able to identify unhealthy or dangerous cells using natural danger cues.⁹⁰

Your immune system cells all develop from your bone marrow, but they mature via different parts in your body, including your skin, bloodstream, thymus, lymphatic system, and spleen. As you age, your immune system starts to decline, which is why elderly people are more at risk for disease and why they may have a harder time fighting these diseases off.

That’s why having a strong immune system is so important: It helps protect you from sickness and makes you less susceptible to severe symptoms even if you do fall sick.

There are various ways to strengthen your immune system. First, maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means no smoking and eating a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Like the healthy lifestyle tenets for avoiding high cholesterol, the other pillars of maintaining a strong immune system are exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, drinking alcohol in moderation, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Second, keep your stress levels low. Scientists hypothesize high levels of stress can take a huge toll on your immune system; we know high stress levels can impact everything from your weight, to your quality of sleep, to your mood. While it is hard to pin down stress in a laboratory setting, it is generally recommended that you reduce your stress levels.

In times of high immune stress, like cold and flu season or a global pandemic, it can be helpful to bolster your immune system with herbs and spices. Cinnamon is a particularly useful one to use—not only is cinnamon full of antioxidants, but it has also been shown to activate the immune system.⁹¹ There’s a reason why cinnamon is so enticing in the winter—that’s when cold and flu season is generally at its peak and when your body needs the extra immunity boost. Try this homemade syrup to help keep your immune system strong.

GINGER ELDERBERRY IMMUNITY-BOOSTING CINNAMON SYRUP

1 bottle elderberry syrup (or 1 cup dried/fresh elderberries; however, if you use fresh, triple the water and honey)

1 cup water

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 knob of ginger

1/4 cup honey

1. In a small pot, combine all ingredients except the honey.

2. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.

3. Remove from the heat and strain through a cheesecloth to get the syrup.

4. Add honey and mix well.

5. Pour into a glass bottle and use a spoonful or two each day, or as needed.

75. HELP PREVENT PARASITES

The word parasite can seem scary—the idea of another living organism feeding on you, your family, or your pets can be a lot to handle. It’s a problem that has endured through time. The first written record of parasites in humans was in Egypt between 3000 and 400 BCE. Since then, ancient Chinese, Arab, Greek, and Indian physicians have all written about diseases and symptoms that were likely caused by parasites. Throughout Earth’s history, over 370 species of parasites have been discovered; however, most of these are rare. Today, only about ninety common species of parasites remain, most of which are located in the tropics.⁹²

As modern medicine develops, parasites are becoming more drug resistant as their self-defense mechanisms kick into gear. To make matters worse, it is difficult to figure out whether you have a parasite without doctor-performed tests. If you suspect you or someone you know may have a parasite, it’s best to visit a doctor, but here is one remedy you can take in the meantime. It also helps serve as a preventative measure.

Essential oils can be immensely helpful due to their natural healing properties. Cinnamon oil especially can help prevent larvae from moving to different parts of the body—it ranked the most effective out of all the botanicals it was tested against. It can also even help kill the larvae.⁹³ Clove essential oil contains a powerful compound called eugenol, which can help eradicate pathogens in the gut.⁹⁴ If you think you have parasites, mix 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil, 1 drop of clove essential oil, 1 tablespoon of honey (or to taste), and 8 ounces of water or ginger tea. Drink up to two times a day until you visit your doctor for a blood test and to see if further treatment is necessary.